NATIONAL Basketball League club Melbourne United is reinforcing its foothold in Ballarat as a key sporting base.
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The sole Victorian NBL franchise has unveiled a dual membership initiative with Ballarat Basketball to reward this city’s parochial basketball fans, build the United brand and, importantly, develop the game and its potential in Ballarat.
United chief executive officer Vince Crivelli made clear in a community visit last year that Ballarat was the club’s alternate base and the club has been a strong backer of Ballarat Basketball’s bid for a new boutique stadium. United returned for a second annual team community camp in Ballarat on Thursday, which again culminates in an NBL exhibition game.
Timing comes amid the league’s renewed strategy to reinvigorate the sport regionally, with more regional NBL exposure, and a landmark NBL five-year deal broadcast deal with pay-television provider Fox Sports to show every game live.
Untied captain Nate Tomlinson, on a school visit on Thursday, said he could see potential for NBL games in Ballarat, once the city’s new stadium was complete.
“I don’t see why not. Ballarat hosted Commonwealth Games matches here,” Tomlinson said. “There’s such a rich basketball history here and a lot of support for the game here.”
Tomlinson quipped that the Minerdome was warm and cozy, compared to most venues they have trained in during the off-season.
United’s dual membership initiative will entitle fans to five United home games this summer and the option for five or whole-season membership to Ballarat Miners and Rush home game in the South East Australian Basketball League next winter.
Tomlinson and American import Stephen Holt led a school physical education class for pupils at Yuille Park Community College on Thursday afternoon. Tomlinson said players were enjoying a chance to return to Ballarat and meet familiar faces. United will host Cairns Taipans at the Minerdome on Saturday night in United’s first and only full-match hit-out this pre-season against an NBL rival.